After the Chargers disposed of the Saints yesterday, quarterback Drew Brees sounded almost disappointed that San Diego has a bye this week. His feeling was understandable, considering the team has won five of six and he has thrown a franchise-record nine touchdown passes over the last two weeks – and 15 against one interception over the last six games.

But other players sounded excited about the break, particularly running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has been hindered by a strained groin/lower abdominal muscle for a month and a half.

Tomlinson clearly has not been himself, the injury sapping him of his ability to burst in and out of cuts. Yesterday, he averaged 2.1 yards on 17 carries; that's 3.2 below his season average for last year.

Tomlinson won't be the only one relaxing during the break. Cornerback Quentin Jammer said he plans to sit around "and be lazy." Linebacker Steve Foley said he plans to visit Las Vegas.

"Hopefully some of that luck that we're having now will continue to spread over the crap table," Foley said, laughing.

Coach Marty Schottenheimer said the players will work some this week, then get a break.

"But as I told them," Schottenheimer said, "in our business you better not stay away too long, because if you do you're going to end up climbing uphill again."

Galloping Goff

If the Chargers are looking for a fourth-string backup to Tomlinson, perhaps they could turn to right guard Mike Goff.

Goff picked up a Tomlinson fumble in the first quarter and rumbled toward the goal line, picking up 11 yards to give San Diego a first-and-goal at the 9.

"It was fun," Goff said. "I saw (the goal line), but more importantly I was just like, 'Don't fumble and just keep running.' It gives you a better understanding of what it feels like to be a running back and a tight end and receiver and to run with the ball and get tackled, and then have to go back in and run a play again."

Goff said it was his first carry since his sophomore year in high school. He was a defensive lineman and picked up a fumble and lumbered some 30 yards. But that gain was nullified because of a penalty on a teammate.

Let's not dance

Foley's celebration dance didn't sit well with Schottenheimer. Twice after a big play, Foley stood and acted as if he were wiping mud from his cleats on the grass. The second time, he accidentally kicked sand into the face of New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks, drawing a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"It's already been addressed," Schottenheimer said. "It was addressed within a matter of 60 seconds."

Trickery

The Chargers attempted what they said was their first fake punt since the 1990 season opener at Dallas. Jesse Chatman took a direct snap from David Binn minutes into the first quarter and, following a block by Clinton Hart, squeezed through a crack over the left guard. Chatman picked up 22 yards for the first down.

"We only had about a yard or so to make," Schottenheimer said. "I felt very comfortable with the idea."

Schottenheimer said special teams coach Steve Crosby informed him during the week that the fake had a good chance of working if the Saints lined up in a certain formation.

Rivers gets to play

Rookie quarterback Philip Rivers took his first professional snaps at the end of the fourth quarter, handing off three times to reserve Michael Turner, then kneeling three times to run out the clock.

"It wasn't a realistic situation as far as running an offense, but it did feel good to be out on the field," Rivers said. "I hadn't been out there in a live situation – like I said, it wasn't a live situation – but still, just to be out there to get a snap on the game field again. Some of the guys were teasing me, saying, 'You're not talking loud enough.' I said that's because I'm still using my practice voice."

Bad challenge

Schottenheimer was unsuccessful on a first-quarter challenge. He argued that fullback Lorenzo Neal crossed the goal line before he was touched down after receiving the ball on second-and-goal from the 8. But replays showed that Neal indeed was touched before reaching the end zone.

Too conservative?

The Chargers had a chance to get at least a field goal at the end of the first half, but with no timeouts remaining Brees took a snap instead of throwing the ball away, thus allowing the clock to elapse before San Diego could attempt a 47-yard field goal.

"That was very disappointing to me," Schottenheimer said.

Carney's return

Kicker John Carney's return to Qualcomm Stadium was not a pleasant one. Carney, the Chargers' career scoring leader, missed a 46-yard field goal attempt to open the third quarter when the ball hit the left upright. He later hit a 37-yarder.

Safety first

The defense recorded its first safety of the season when Foley drew a holding call against offensive tackle Wayne Gandy in the New Orleans end zone. It was the Chargers' first safety since 2002, when Carlos Polk blocked a punt out of the end zone at Arizona.